Simple Diwali Recipes

These Diwali Recipes are simple and traditional and are inspired by my family's recipes, which my mother-in-law curated! Making food and snacks at home is the perfect way to celebrate one of the greatest Indian festivals!

Diwali is celebrated to honor Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. We celebrate Diwali by lighting oil lamps, exchanging sweets, and praying for prosperity and happiness.

It's the perfect time to make a variety of homemade treats and snacks for family and friends. Traditional Diwali recipes include a mix of sweet and savory dishes that are easy to make and loved by all.

Diwali is a major celebration for Hindus, and many prefer making homemade snacks and sweets instead of buying them. Savory treats like namak pare, mathri, and chivda, along with sweets like laddoos, barfis, and halwa, are commonly prepared in advance.

My collection of Diwali recipes focuses on party recipes perfect for hosting a lunch or dinner. It includes Indian curries and Indian snacks like paneer curries, paneer tikka, saag paneer, onion pakoras, and chaat. Since I make Halwa Poori for Diwali Pujan, I also have those authentic recipes.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Diwali!

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Best Traditional Diwali Recipes

Diwali Snack Recipes

Onion Pakora

These deep fried Onion Pakora are one of the popular Indian tea-time snacks that go well with homemade Green Chutney! Light and crisp, each bite of this incredibly delicious onion pakoda is indulging.

Tawa Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka is a delicious Indian appetizer known for its smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors. This recipe uses a steel tawa to cook the marinated paneer cubes for a perfect Indian starter!

Hara Bhara Kabab

Craving a tasty snack that's easy to make and bursting with savory flavors? Try this easy recipe of Hara Bhara Kabab! Rich in Indian spicy flavors, crispy, and golden brown from the outside when deep fried, each bite of these veg kabab is indulgent!

Shakarkandi Chaat

A humble blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, this Sweet Potato Chaat is made by slowly roasting sweet potatoes on the stovetop and topping them with curd, black pepper, green chutney, saunth, coriander leaves, and pomegranate seeds!

Spiced Walnuts

These Spiced walnuts, smothered with spicy, savory and sweet flavors, roasted to perfection, for a quick snack! Crunchy and packed with so much flavor!

Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Incredibly delicious and bursting with spicy and savory flavors, this Air Fryer Paneer Tikka is a perfect healthy appetizer for any occasion.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

This easy Air fryer Corn on the Cob, roasted to perfection, crispy from out and tender within, made in typical Indian style- spicy with red chili, tangy with fresh lemon juice is a crowd pleaser!

Makhana Chaat

Made with roasted makhana (fox nuts or lotus seeds), this chaat is a delicious blend of crunchy makhana, Tamarind and green chutney, pomegranate seeds, rock salt, black pepper, and lemon juice!

Roasted Makhana

This elegant recipe of Roasted Makhana or Phool Makhana involves slow roasting of makhana dunked in desi ghee for a quick healthy snack! Made in two ways- salted and caramelized with sugar, these crunchy makhanas are going to be your favorite ones soon!

Rice Pakoras

These Rice Pakodas or Fritters made with leftover white rice are a comfort snack that gathers in less than 20 minutes with minimum prepping! If you are looking for an easy snack that uses your rice and veggies of the season, go ahead and try this easy recipe!

Bread Rolls

These Indian-styled Stuffed Bread Rolls, crispy and browned from outside, savory and spicy with potato stuffing, are a perfect way to indulge in filling breakfast!

Bread Pakora

A popular street food from Indian cuisine, Bread Pakora, made by deep frying bread slices dipped in besan flour, is an amazing breakfast or an evening snack for a perfect monsoon day!

Dhaniya Mint Chutney

Cilantro Mint Chutney is a popular Indian green dipping sauce that uses fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and green chilies. A perfect dip served with Indian snacks like onion fritters, samosa, or bread pakora!

Indian Onion Chutney

Bursting with mild sweet and tangy flavors from raw onions and tomato ketchup, this Indian Onion Chutney is a perfect accompaniment dip for poppadoms!

Main Meals

Paneer Tikka Masala

Simmered over slow flame, tawa-fried marinated paneer cubes, dunked into spicy onion tomato gravy, this classic paneer curry goes best with paratha or naan!

Punjabi Chana Masala

This traditional Indian Chole Curry made with chickpea is one of the popular companions of our street food- Chole Bhature.

Chana Saag

Chana Saag, made with dry chickpeas and fresh leafy greens is a popular Indian recipe. Simmered in coconut milk, onion, garlic, tomato gravy, and Indian warm spices, this is a comfort meal with rice or paratha for busy weeknights!

Punjabi Saag Paneer

This Saag Paneer is a popular Indian Winter Recipe. Cubes of Paneer dunked in this green color gravy made from fresh leafy greens taste heavenly and is a perfect Dinner or lunch recipe for cold winters.

Chana Dal Palak

This Palak Chana Dal Recipe is a one-pot Spinach Recipe made super easy for busy you. A popular recipe from North India, this Spinach Chana Dal is a total comfort meal when teamed with jeera rice, Paratha or Chapati.

Bathua Aloo Subji

This Bathua Aloo Sabji made using fresh Bathua leaves is a simple Indian Winter Curry that can be made easily using a stovetop.

Best Poori Recipe

Made with just 3 main ingredients, this Simple Poori Recipe is perfected over the years and is an authentic Indian unleavened bread. Team it with Aloo Subji or Chickpea Curry for a hearty Indian Meal!

Bathua Paratha

This Bathua Paratha, a hearty Indian breakfast made in desi ghee is incredibly crispy and rich in flavor of earthy green bathua leaves!

Diwali Sweets

Til Ladoo

Winters are perfect time to munch on the healthy homemade Til Ladoo. Til or sesame are nutrition-packed seeds and since they are hot, it's totally fine to have them in winter!

Roasted Makhana

This melt-in mouth Mango Kesari Halwa is an Indian traditional delicacy that is flavored with fresh mango, ghee, saffron and cardamom.

Atta Halwa

Made with just 3 ingredients, this Wheat Halwa Recipe is packed with flavor and is a perfect Indian dessert- An easy quick recipe for festivals.

Roasted Makhana

Besan Halwa is a traditional Indian dessert, made by roasting gram flour in ghee slowly over the stovetop till browned. Flavored with green cardamom, saffron, this is the perfect recipe to make halwa!

Jaggery Paratha Churma

Jaggery Paratha Churma is a pride of my family. This is the recipe of Haryanvi Churma made simply in jaggery (that's beaten up to make soft) and mixed well with hot desi ghee parathas.

Sweet Pua / Gulgule

These wheat gulgule are sweet fried fritters flavored with Saunf (Fennel Seeds) made on the occasion of Diwali/ Holi and Basora in India.

Jaggery Rice-Gud Wale Chawal

Jaggery Rice, or Gur Wale Chawal, or meethe chawal (also called Vella Sadam) is a classic Indian dessert that combines the natural sweetness of jaggery with aromatic basmati rice flavored with ghee, saffron, coconut flakes, fennel seeds, green cardamom, and turmeric powder